Time for family and fishing: Bulls captain calls it quits

David Lems
Sports Editor
David, known as "Lemsy" around Ipswich, has been with the QT since 1984. He has been sports editor for more than two decades and has won numerous awards for his sports writing, including being named APN Journalist of the Year and Sports Editor of the Year. Away from work, he enjoys fishing, spending time with his family and watching sport.

SUCH has been more than 11 enjoyable senior years at the Ipswich City Bulls, captain Zygan Condie plans to keep cheering on the boys in future.

However, he won't be leading the side next season.

Condie, 32, was among the players moving on after Ipswich City's 3-1 elimination final defeat to Annerley at the Briggs Road Sporting Complex on Saturday.

"That's it,'' Condie said, having captained the side for the past three seasons.

"I'm done. That's the last season.''

He said work, family and travel commitments living at Springfield Lakes helped him decide to hang up the boots.

Other Bulls' players in doubt for next season are leading goal scorer Ryan Adeyoka New (returned to England) and Dane Grant (new job in the mines).

Condie said it was time the next generation stepped forward after the club's positive season where the Capital League 2 and Reserve Grade teams both played finals' football.

The Bulls Reserves bowed out of the finals' hunt in extraordinary circumstances, losing 5-4 against Toowong in extra time on Friday night.

The Bulls led 3-0 after 55 minutes before somehow conceding goals in the 90th, 91st and 92nd minutes to force additional time.

After getting ahead in extra time at Sutton Park, Toowong restored the deadlock at 4-4 in the 121st minute. Toowong finally won on penalties, completing its miraculous escape.

Condie said his team lost its goal scoring mojo the past few weeks despite committed efforts.

"I felt like the last couple of weeks we had a bit of trouble to score,'' he said.

"I don't know why because we've scored goals all year.''

Condie said the highlight of his senior career was sharing in the Bulls' 2009 CL2 grand final win.

"The good thing about it is I've done my group of friends and now it's time for a new group of young friends coming through,'' he said.

"If they all stick together, they'll make finals as well. There's a good crop coming through at the moment.''

Condie plans to do some fishing in addition to his family time.

"I'll still come down to the games, just not training,'' he said.

However, as he reflected on his time at the Brassall-based club, head coach Norbert Duga was keen to talk Condie out of retiring.

"I'll see if we can get him back next year,'' Duga said.

In his second season as coach, Duga had a productive year, helping the team return from the relegation zone last season to finishing third and playing in the finals.

However, losing to Annerley was a tough pill to swallow after the Bulls ended the preliminary season ahead of them. The Bulls toiled hard on Saturday, peppering the Annerley goal mouth after getting back to 2-1 in the second half.

"It's pretty heartbreaking,'' Duga said, before being showered in icy water by one of the players.

"I'm really disappointed and the players are too.

"I think we dominated the game and if you don't take your chances you don't win.